As more people opt for experiences over things, the Iowa City Public Library is pleased to present Discovery Kits, a collection of hands-on activities that allow patrons to “try before they buy” something new.
“When people are trying to start a new hobby, there’s an investment in the tools or materials to make it a success,” ICPL Collections Coordinator Anne Mangano says.
Sometimes the venture pays off, other times the bag of knitting supplies or gym membership go unused, with only a receipt to show for the efforts. Discovery Kits remove the initial outlay, as each kit has everything a patron needs to explore a hobby, have fun on a snowy afternoon, or try a different sport. For example, the Pickleball Discovery Kit includes a book about the sport, as well as a paddle bundle.
Thanks to the financial support of a $1,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Johnson County, the Library has 21 Discovery Kits available to checkout; 10 for children, and 11 for teens and adults.
The children’s Discovery Kits include the following: Hiking and Nature; Ukulele; Bugs and Insects; Board Games; Astronomy; Coding and Robotics; Bocce Ball; Cookie and Cake Decorating; Flying Kites; and Rock Collecting. The teen and adult Discovery Kits allow patrons to pursue the following: Pickleball; Explore Iowa; Bike Tool Kit; Disc Golf; Home Energy Efficiency; Birdwatching; Stargazing; Ukulele; Knitting; Crocheting; and Chess and Checkers.
Discovery Kits may be checked out for three weeks with no renewals. Patrons may only check out one kit at a time.
For more information, go to icpl.org/kits or stop by the Help Desk on the Library's first floor.
Book Madness @ ICPL
Our annual literary competition, Book Madness @ ICPL, is back for another year!
Books competing in the 2019 “tournament” fall into eight categories; four for the children’s brackets and four for the teen/adult bracket. The 2019 categories are as follows:
TEENS/ADULTS: All You Need Is Love, Listen Up!, Short Reads, and Rise Up!
The brackets will be posted in the Library’s Gallery on the first floor on February 22. This gives you almost two weeks to decide which title you think will top them all. Anyone who turns in a completed bracket by March 3 is eligible to win a prize. We will award two winners; one in the adult and teen bracket, and one in the children’s bracket.
Voting begins March 4, with the public’s picks deciding which books advance in each round. We will update the brackets every Monday until there’s a winner. Make sure you vote every week. Books that advance through the “tournament” will be posted on the Book Madness webpage, the first floor display, and updated on Facebook and Twitter.
Never stop learning with Learning Express
LearningExpress is an interactive learning tool that can help you learn a new skill, prepare for an upcoming test, or assist in a job search.
Interested in a new career? LearningExpress offers occupation exam preparation, including civil service, law enforcement, firefighting, EMT, real estate, electrical, plumbing, teaching, nursing, and social work. There are also tutorials on resume and cover letter writing, job searching, and networking.
Getting ready for an exam? LearningExpress offers GED and HiSET exam preparation, as well as practice tests for the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and a variety of AP exams.
Looking to improve a skill? LearningExpress has tutorials in math, grammar, and writing, plus courses in basic computer use, internet, and a variety of software programs, such as Microsoft Excel and Word, and Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
Service is limited to residents of Iowa City, Hills, Lone Tree, University Heights, and rural Johnson County. Go here to get started.
